THE Warriors' Africa Cup of Nations Group J qualifying match against Namibia on Thursday will be played in an empty Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the behest of the Brave Warriors who are the home team.
The two teams will face off in the return leg at the same venue on Monday next week.
Zimbabwe, who will be the home team for next week's match, will open the doors for fans to watch the game.
Zifa announced in a statement that Namibia had made a request for Thursday's match to be played behind closed doors.
“Please note our away match between Namibia and Zimbabwe scheduled for Thursday will be played behind closed doors. No fans will be allowed for both teams,” Zifa spokesperson Mike Madoda said yesterday.
“However, our home match scheduled for Monday will be open to all fans.”
Namibia's official line is that they don’t have money for stadium security. However, it appears the Brave Warriors, who are looking for their first point in the group, want to negate the Warriors’ support.
Zimbabwe enjoys massive support in South Africa and a full house was expected for the match.
Both teams have been forced to take their home matches to Orlando Stadium because they do not have Caf-approved stadiums to host international matches in their respective countries.
Zimbabwe are favourites to win these two matches, but their preparations have been hampered by injuries on some key men.
Striker Tawanda Chirewa, who sparkled on his last visit to South Africa, has been ruled out due to a thigh injury, together with fellow forward Tino Kadewere who will once again be sidelined after missing the last international games against Kenya and Cameroon.
The Nantes striker is down with a calf sprain which saw him missing his team's league match at the weekend.
Douglas Mapfumo, who had initially been left out of the squad for the matches against Namibia as he is recovering from an injury he picked against Cameroon last month, has since been called up to mitigate the strikers crisis that has developed.
Denmark-based defender Munashe Garananga has an ankle problem and is a major doubt for the match.
Madoda said all Zimbabwe and South Africa-based Warriors players reported for camp in Johannesburg yesterday morning, while overseas and other foreign-based stars were expected over the course of the day yesterday.
Zimbabwe are third in Group J with two points following their opening two goalless draws against Kenya and Cameroon.
Kenya and Cameroon are joint group leaders on four points after two rounds of matches while Namibia is bottom of the group with zero points.
Two top finishers will automatically qualify for next year's Africa Cup of Nations finals to be played in Morocco.
Warriors squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)
Defenders: Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gerald Takwara (Al Minaa SC), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Godknows Murwira (Caps United), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Jordan Zemura (Udinese).
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Andy Rinomhota (Cardiff City), Brian Banda (FC Platinum), Richard Hachiro (Ngezi Platinum).
Strikers: Khama Billiat (Yadah FC), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Terrence Dzvukamanja (Supersport United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City).
